The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo kicked off this week with an action-packed schedule. Here's your guide to some can't-miss attractions and events.

The carnival

The rides and games of the midway are open 4 p.m.-midnight Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday. Spring Break Stampede hours take effect March 10 and run through March 23. During that time, the carnival will be open 1 p.m.-midnight weekdays and 10 a.m.-midnight on the weekends.

The Hideout

This makeshift saloon, in a tent on the east side of the Astrodome, presents some of the region's best country-music acts, including Max Stalling, Jamie Richards and Gary P. Nunn. The Hideout is open to ages 21 and older at 6 p.m. daily during the rodeo's run. The performances start at 10:15 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 p.m. on the weekends.

Kids Country

Located east of the Astrodome, this family-friendly zone is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. It features some of the rodeo's favorite events. Among the highlights:

1Mutton Bustin': This event is a hoot. Children ages 5 and 6 are challenged to ride a sheep for eight seconds with only the animal's wool to grip. Competitions are held on the hour 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Participation costs $15 per ride and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

1 Pig Races: This is another series that draws standing-room-only crowds. Little piglets race around a straw-strewn track. The winning pig's reward: an Oreo cookie. Races are held eight times a day on the half hour 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. with the exception of 2:30 p.m.

The site of livestock shows, auctions, exhibits and a marketplace, Reliant Center is busy nearly around the clock. Look for the day's schedule online. Among the highlights:

1 Champions Row: This is where the Grand and Reserve Grand champions (lambs, goats, pigs, cows, steers, etc.) of each junior market show can be seen up close. Champions row is located near the main arena.

1 Lil' Rustlers Rodeo: Youngsters with disabilities get to join in the fun and participate in rodeo competitions such as stick-horse barrel racing, see-saw bull riding and plastic-steer roping. Sessions will be in the main arena at 3 p.m. Monday and 2 p.m. Wednesday.

1 AGventure: If you've got little wranglers, you don't want to miss this educational area filled with live animals. Among the highlights are a petting zoo; a birthing center where calves, lambs and piglets are born nearly every day; and a milking parlor where dairy farmers demonstrate modern milking techniques. New in 2014 is the We're Small Y'all Barn, which will showcase miniature cattle, pigs and goats.

1 Livestock shows: Judges will be looking for the best in livestock ranging from rabbits and goats to steers and pigs. A fun event is the junior dairy cattle show (March 21-23), where exhibitors wear a traditional milkman's uniform of white shirt and pants with black tie.

1 Contests: Young agriculture students are challenged in contests, such as Friday's Beef Quiz Bowl for ages 14-19, March 17's Tractor Technician Contest (three-member teams must diagnose and correct five malfunctions in a tractor) and the March 19 Ag Science Fair.

1 Sheep dog trials: Watching seasoned, well-trained dogs work a flock of sheep is entertaining. Trials get underway at 10 a.m. March 22.

Reliant Arena

The arena is the rodeo's official horse barn, where you'll see everything from cutting-horse demonstrations to a polo exhibition. Other events include the awarding of the "Ear of the Year" for the donkey or mule with the widest ear span, a Paint horse show and a ranch rodeo with events such as wild cow milking and calf branding (contestants use chalk for brand).